Owner Kevin Grzadzinski stands with one of his employees under the newly redesigned Xtreme Pizza menu. Photo by G. Ouzounian

By Gabriel Ouzounian

Review Staff Writer

The competitive pizza market in Lake Orion has a new contender which rose from the ashes of a former Hungry Howies franchise.

Xtreme Pizza, located at 786 S. Lapeer Road, is the brainchild of former Howies manager Kevin Grzadzinski who kept the store, employees and equipment after the corporate office decided to close the location. Despite having worked 22 years at the location, he said the menu and food is completely different and superior in quality.

"I just bought the equipment and the business, but the recipes are different, the prices are lower and we have an expanded menu," said Grzadzinski. "I've been in the pizza industry for 30 years, I make better food than anyone else and I think I have a pretty good shot out here."

One of the largest differences, he said, lies in the ingredients used to make the various items available at Xtreme Pizza. Imported Italian cheese, freshly chopped vegetables including fresh mushrooms (not from a can), "top of and daily bread from Trigallies Bakery in Warren are all used in the construction of Grzadzinski's pizzas, which he said are all made by him.

"I am a mom and pop show in every sense, I'm here seven days a week and I make every pizza that goes out the door here," he said. "I don't have the advertising budget of other guys, so I have to rely on word of mouth.

"Great pizza helps do that."

Besides the usual combinations, including a typical supreme pizza named "The Xtreme Pizza," the restaurant features a number of unique additions including Chicken Alfredo pizza and others. Deep dish, round thin crust and normal crust are all available, though deep dishes are currently only available in larges. Xtreme Pizza also offers chicken wings (boneless and with bone), salads, nachos, cannolies and more.

Xtreme Pizza's hours are3-10 p.m. Mon-Thurs, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri-Sat, and 11 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. They can be reached at 248-693-8888, online at xtremepizzas.com, or on Facebook. Online orders are coming soon and the delivery radius is roughly 15 miles, from Addison Oaks to The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Grzadzinski originally moved to Lake Orion 25 years ago. Besides running the restaurant, he also coaches wrestling at Waldon Middle School. the line meat,"